Abstract
The effects of interferon-τ (IFN-τ) on tumor suppressor factors and virus oncoprotein expression were compared with two other type I IFN in human papillomavirus (HPV-16)-transformed cells. Nontumorigenic human keratinocytes, HuKc/HPV-16d-2C (d-2C), treated with recombinant human IFN-α2a (Roferon), a human recombinant alpha IFN hybrid, alpha B/D (IFN-αB/D), or ovine IFN-τ were evaluated for their effects on the levels of E6 and E7 expression. IFN-τ was comparable to IFN-α2a in decreasing intracellular levels of E6 and E7, and IFN-αB/D was more effective than IFN-α2a in suppressing E7 levels. All three IFN were capable of increasing the cellular concentration of wild-type p53 tumor suppressor with the magnitude IFN-τ > IFN-α2a > IFN-αB/D. Increases in p53 concentrations correlated with the observed decreases in E6 mRNA and protein levels. The antiviral effects observed in this study reveal that IFN-τ has potent antipapillomavirus activity. Sequences/structures unique to IFN-τ could allow for alternative IFN/receptor interactions and may explain the differences in biologic function.
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